Medications and oral health

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addthis_button">Share</a> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="main-content__wrapper">  <div class="main__content"> <h1 class="page__heading">Medications and oral health</h1> <p>Some medicines can affect oral health due to high levels of sugar. If you are on long-term medication, you may be at greater risk of developing tooth decay due to using sweetened medications.</p><ul><li>The sugar contained in liquid medications, cough drops, vitamins, antacid tablets and anti-fungal agents can lead to tooth decay.</li><li>Inhalers (particularly those containing steroids) can cause erosion of the tooth enamel.</li></ul><h2>Dry mouth</h2><p>Dry mouth is a potential side effect of numerous medications (prescribed and over-the-counter). Dry mouth occurs due to the reduction in saliva flow. Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health problems become more common.</p><h3>Medications that can cause dry mouth include:</h3><ul><li>antihistamines</li><li>decongestants</li><li>painkillers</li><li>medications prescribed for high blood pressure and Parkinson’s disease</li><li>muscle relaxants</li><li>drugs for urinary incontinence</li><li>anti-depressants and many others.</li></ul><h2>What you can do</h2><ul><li>Check labels to determine whether you are taking a sugar-based medication.</li><li>Discuss medications with a general practitioner, pharmacist or oral health professional.</li><li>Ask your doctor about the sugar content of medications or the effect on saliva flow.</li><li>Limit the use of, or request alternatives to, sugar-based medications when appropriate. Never change medications without speaking to your doctor first.</li><li>If sugar-based medication is used, rinse your mouth with water immediately after taking the medication.</li></ul> </div>   <div class="rhs__column"> <div class="rhs__panel"> <div class="rhs__panel-content"> <p><a href="https://www.rdhm.org.au/contact/contact-rdhm"><img src="https://www.rdhm.org.au/__data/assets/image/0007/249271/Contact-RDHM.png" alt="" width="800" height="400" style="text-align: center;" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rdhm.org.au/contact/contact-rdhm" class="btn btn-primary">Contact the Royal Dental <br />Hospital Of Melbourne</a></p> </div> </div><div class="rhs__panel rhs__related"> <h3 class="rhs__panel-heading">Useful Links</h3> <ul class="rhs__panel-links__list"> <li class="rhs__panel-links__item"> <a href="https://www.rdhm.org.au/contact/contact-rdhm/change-my-appointment" class="rhs-panel__link">Change appointment</a> </li><li class="rhs__panel-links__item"> 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